Hardy nearing return from 15-day disabled list
Sidelined with strained left groin, O's shortstop eligible to come back Tuesday
TORONTO -- Shortstop J.J. Hardy is due to return to the Orioles' lineup on Tuesday.
Hardy, who's been sidelined with a strained left groin, has been taking batting practice with the Orioles and should be ready to return to the field during the team's upcoming road series against the Yankees. Hardy is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list for the second game of the set.
"We're all looking forward to getting J.J. back," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said before Saturday afternoon's game against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.
Hardy received a platelet-rich plasma injection in Baltimore last week, and he has been doing light baseball activities.
Paul Janish and Manny Machado have been handling shortstop duties in Hardy's absence. Machado, who came up as a shortstop but played only third base in his first three years in the Majors, started three games at short since Aug. 31 and returned to the hot corner Saturday.
• Reports from the Baltimore Sun suggest the Orioles will purchase the contract of Nolan Reimold ahead of the series finale against the Blue Jays on Sunday. Reimold was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Aug. 27 after clearing waivers.
The 31-year-old signed with the O's in the offseason. He played 39 games before the club designated him for assignment in late August.